Vessel handling apparatus for continuous casting machine

ABSTRACT

The disclosure of this invention relates to a continuous casting machine and, more particularly, to an handling apparatus for the interchangeable ladles and tundishes that supply molten metal to the casting machine. The ladles and tundishes are supported on a common vertical central column. Two interchangeable rotatable arms are provided for the ladles that bring them selectively from a receiving position to a pouring position over the mold of the casting machine. The tundishes which are moved selectively into and out of a pouring position are carried by three circular tracks arranged beneath the arms of the ladles. Each tundish is set in a cradle which is adjustable horizontally and carried by a subframe that is tiltable about a horizontal axis. The subframe, in turn, is carried by the tracks in an overhung fashion and is both adjustable vertically and rotatable in a vertical plane.

United States Patent [191 Greenberger et a].

[ 1 VESSEL HANDLING APPARATUS FOR CONTINUOUS CASTING MACHINE [75] Inventors: Joseph Irwin Greenberger,

Pittsburgh; Joseph James Ciochetto, Allison Park, both of Pa.

[73] Assignee: Wean United, Inc., Pittsburgh, Pa. [22] Filed: Apr. 27, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 248,117

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data June 18, 1974 Primary Examiner-Robert D. Baldwin Attorney, Agent, or FirmHenry C. Westin; Daniel Patch [57 ABSTRACT The disclosure of this invention relates to a continuous casting machine and, more particularly, to an handling apparatus for the interchangeable ladles and tundishes that supply molten metal to the casting machine. The ladles and tundishes are supported on a common vertical central column. Two interchangeable rotatable arms are provided for the ladles that bring them selectively from a receiving position to a pouring position over the mold of the casting machine. The tundishes which are moved selectively into and out of a pouring position are carried by three circular tracks arranged beneath the arms of the ladles. Each tundish is set in a cradle which is adjustable horizontally and carried by a subframe that is tiltable about a horizontal axis. The subframe, in turn, is carried by the tracks in an overhung fashion and is both adjustable vertically and rotatable in a vertical plane.

7 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PAIENTEBM 10 m4 SHEU 1 OF 5 VESSEL HANDLING APPARATUS FOR CONTINUOUS CASTING MACHINE In order to obtain maximum production from the continuous casting machines many recent installations have provided interchangeable ladles and tundishes. With the increased capacity of these units, the handling and support equipment has become extremely cumbersome, space consuming and expensive. In the affected areas of the casting plant space is at a high premium so that the largeness of the equipment, of necessity, has proven a limitation in providing an acceptable design.

It is, therefore, the object of the present invention to provide an improved apparatus for supporting and handling the molten metal vessels of a continuous casting machine, which is capable of handling very large tonnages in an efficient, compact and economical manner.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for handling the interchangeable tundishes of a continuous casting machine, wherein the tundishes are supported by separate overhung frames which are supported, in turn, by a common track system carried by a central support column.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide one or more arms for selectively moving ladles into and out of a casting positon, which arms are supported, in part, by the central support column and further by the support for the track system of the tundishes which support is arranged beneath the arms.

It is another object of the present invention to form each tundish frame with a vertical slide that is adjustable vertically in the support for the track system, in which the frame includes a subframe that is rotatable about a horizontal axis and carries a cradle adapted to be adjusted horizontally relative to the subframe, and in which the tundish can be quickly removed from and replaced with the cradle.

These objects, as well as the other novel features and advantages of the present invention, will be more fully understood when the following description is read along with the accompanying drawings of which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of a continuous casting plant incorporating the features of the present invention and shown in legends some of the principal components of the plant;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the support and handling apparatus for the tundishes and ladles illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a partial plan view of the equipment illus trated in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view similar to FIG. 2 and taken on lines 4 --,4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an end view of the equipment illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4; and

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken on lines 6 6 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 1 serves to illustrate the major components of a continuous casting plant designed to cast continuous billets or slabs of carbon steel. It comprises a pouring station 10 with which there is associated the casting and transport members of the casting plant, but which, because they form no part of the present invention, have not been illustrated in the drawings. A typical design of such is illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 3,370,641 that issued on Feb. 27, 1968 to J. I."Greenberger.

In accordance with the usual practice, the pouring station includes a tundish assembly 11 which is one of two similar tundish assemblies, the other being marked 11a and which is adapted to be selectively brought to the pouring station so that its nozzle 14 may issue molten metal received from a ladle into the reciprocating mold of the casting machine. Associated with the pouring station are two emergency ladle pits 16 and 17. In cooperation with the tundish assembly 11 in the customary manner there is provided an overflow trough I8 which conveys slag to a slag box 19, the trough 18 being rotatable approximately degrees by being connected to a pivotal arm 21. FIG. I shows the overflow trough 18 in its operative position with respect to the tundish assembly 11 and the slag box 19.

The illustrated casting plant is of the type employing two ladles which may be selectively brought to a pouring position at the pouring station 10 from a receiving station 23. The receiving station 23 in FIG. I illustrates in phantom a ladle 24 supported by an arm 25. A second, and generally similar, arm 26 is shown in the pouring station 10; it being understood that in this position the arm 26 would support a ladle similar to the ladle 24 which has been omitted in order to show more clearly the tundish assembly 11 in the pouring station. The actual construction of the ladle carrying arms 25 and 26 will be more fully explained hereinafter.

In the usual manner the casting plant includes the facilities for preheating the two tundish assemblies for which purpose there are provided preheat stations 27 and 28. Station 28 illustrates the principal components of the preheating stations including a tundish assembly, in phantom, and which consist of an overflow rotatable trough 31 of the tundish which has been rotated to its inoperative position as has a preheat burner 32; the arrows indicating in FIG. 1 the direction of rotation of these two elements to their operative positions.

Before leaving FIG. 1 it should be noted that there are provided on either side of the ladle receiving station 23 a series of reels 33 and 34 which are provided to unwind or wind up energy cables, such as, the electrical lines that provide the electrical current to operate the motors that move the tundish assemblies 11 and 11a.

LADLE HANDLING EQUIPMENT FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 best illustrate the ladle handling equipment which, as previously noted, comprises, in part, the arms 25 and 26. FIG. 2 illustrates the complete arm 25, but only a part of the arm 26, it being understood that the arm 26 is generally identical to the arm 25. The arm 25 is provided at its outer end with two pedestals 38 on which support ears 39 of a ladle are adapted to rest and through which means the ladle is carried by the arm 25. The arm itself at its inner end is, in part, carried by a vertical non-rotatable column 41 which is supported at its base by a series of projecting arms, two of which are shown at 42 and which are tied together by chord beams, one of which is shown at 43. The column includes, in order to conveniently furnish the necessary electrical power to the motors that drive the arms, a collector ring 44 which is constructed in accordance with well-known designs and can follow the type known in the trade by the trade name POW-R- MATIC Collector Rings supplied by the Aero-Motive Manufacturing Company, Kalamazoo, Michigan, USA.

The greater part of the weight of the arm 25 and the ladle 24 is actually carried by a circular track 46 which is secured to the top surfaces of the arms 42 as well as to the chord beams 43 to form a wheel shaped member, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3. Engaged with the track 46 are two vertically arranged wheels 48 for each arm 25 and 26; both of which are illustrated in FIG. 3 in their circular supporting relationship with respect to the track 46. It should be noted in FIGS. 2 and 4 that the arms 42 are supported by upright pillars, one of which is shown at 51. One of the pair of wheels 48 is adapted to be driven by an electrical motor 52 which is connected to a gear drive 53 and to a gear train 54 and, hence, an axle 54a of the wheel. The motor 52 and drive 53 are actually carried by a base 55 which is, in turn, carried by its associated arms 25 or 26. As previously noted, the electrical power line for the motor 52 will be carried by the collector ring 44.

TUNDISI-I HANDLING EQUIPMENT With reference to the equipment for handling the two tundish assemblies 11 and 11a, reference will now be made particularly to FIGS. 3, 4 and in which it will be first noted that the arms 42 and beams 43 are provided with a ribbed builtup portion 57 to which there are secured three separate circular tracks 58, 59 and 61. Associated with these tracks on either side of the tundish assembly 11 are two sets of wheels identified as 63, 64 and 65. The wheels 63 of each set are designed to support the weight of the tundish assembly; whereas, the wheels 64 and 65 are arranged to counteract the overhung load of the tundish assembly to balance the opposite forces.

The tundish assembly itself consists of an upright carriage frame 67 on the top of which there is a projecting portion to which the wheels 63 are connected on its underside so as to engage the track 58; whereas, on the same portion there is a downward extending portion that supports the wheels 64 in a position to engage the track 59. On the bottom of the frame 67 there is provision for mounting the wheels 65 in a manner so as to contact the track 61. In this construction the tundish assemblies, particularly the carriage frames 67, are adapted to rotate from the preheating stations 27 or 28 to the pouring station with the overhung load of the tundishes being transferred to the arms 42 and beams 43 via the carriage frames 67.

In referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4 it will be noted that each carriage frame 67 is made up into two opposed vertical guides 69 and 71 which receive a vertical slide 72. At the base of the slide 72 there is provided a piston cylinder assembly 74 employed to adjust the slide, and hence, the tundish assembly in a vertical direction. Associated with the slide and projecting in an horizontal direction is a trunnion 76 to which there is secured a subframe 77 in a manner that it rotates with the trunnion which is rotatably supported by the slide by a pin 78. Connected to the trunnion is an arm 79 to which there is, in turn, connected to a piston cylinder assembly 81, through which agency the subframe is rotated and, hence, the tundish assembly. It is through this operation that the tundish assembly is brought to a position to discharge slag into the slag box 19, as previously mentioned in describing FIG. 1.

Intermediate the actual tundish and the subframe 77, there is provided a cradle 83. The cradle is supported in the tiltable subframe 77 by virtue ofa number of horizontally arranged rollers 84, which as best shown in FIG. 5, are arranged in vertical sets and are adapted to receive portions of the cradle 83 which permit the cradle to be adjusted horizontally so that the nozzle of the tundish can be brought to a desired position with respect to the center of the mold. This adjustment is accomplished, in referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, by providing a stationary nut 88 which is associated with a rotatable screw shaft 89 so that as the screw is rotated, its association with the carriage causes the carriage to move horizontally. Rotation of the screw is accomplished by a hand wheel 91 which is employed to turn a sprocket 92 which, through a chain 93, rotates a second sprocket 94 to which the screw shaft 89 is rigidly connected.

Returning again to the cradle 83, it is adapted to support a tundish in a manner that the tundish can be quickly removed from and replaced into the cradle, for which purpose there is provided in the cradle opposed circular openings 96 which receive complementary projections 97 of the tundish 90. The tundish is secured in the cradle 83 by two clamps 98 which are secured to the cradle by bolts 99.

The movement of the carriage frame 67 about the tracks 58, 59 and 61 is accomplished by driving one of the wheels 65, and with reference to FIG. 3, the wheel that is driven is the wheel 65 at the back of the tundish assembly 11. The drive detail is illustrated in FIG. 5 where there is shown a combination reducer electrical motor unit 102 connected to the carriage frame 67 by a bracket 103 and which serves to drive a sprocket 105 which, in turn, advances a chain 106 to drive a second sprocket 108 which is connected to one of the wheels 65. The electrical motor 102 has a power line which is associated with one of the reels 33 or 34.

Before leaving the description of the tundish handling equipment, it may be well to indicate that FIG. 6 illustrates the support for the overflow trough 19 which consists of an horizontal beam 110 connected to a vertical trunnion shaft 111; the shaft, in turn, being rotatably supported by an upright member 112 and rotated by a piston cylinder assembly 113. Some of this structure also appears in FIGS. 3 and 5.

In addition to the adjustment noted above for the tundish 90 the invention provides an easy and reliable means of maintaining the tundish nozzle in a true vertical position and to adjust for any wear with respect to the overhung load of the tundish assembly 11. This is accomplished, as best shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, by providing a crescent-shaped track which is secured to the slide 72 and which is adapted to be engaged by a roller 131 mounted at the bottom of the subframe 77; the length of the track 130 defining the extent of tilting of the tundish 90 on operation of the piston cylinder assembly 81. Between the mounting for the roller 131 and the subframe 77, there is provided a readily insertable shim pack 132 received in a bracket by which means the tundish can be positioned relative to a vertical reference position so that its nozzle 14 can be lined up with respect to the mold arranged directly beneath it.

To complete the description of the tundish handling equipment and in referring to FIG. 3, it will be noted that there is illustrated not only the tundish nozzle 14, but also the ladle nozzle 115.

POWER LINE SUPPORT MECHANISM The energy cables support mechanism, previously commented on with respect to the reels 33 and 34, is best illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4. As shown in FIG. 4, there is connected to the carriage frame 67 and extending in a horizontal direction towards the arm 42 in a superimposed relationship three pairs of fingers 117, 118 and 119, the reduced outer edges of which fit into individual channels 121, 122 and 123; the vertical portion of the channels being made up of freely rotatable pins 126. The pairs of fingers 117, 118 and 119 have surfaces 127 that support the power lines 124 illustrated in FIG. 4 in cross section. FIG. 3 shows one of these fingers 117-119 in supporting relationship with one of the power lines 124. lt will be appreciated that as the carriage frame 67 moves in an arcuate path about the center column 41 the fingers 117-119 will move with the frame in which a different line will be supported between the spaced-apart fingers of each pair. At the same time the reels 33 and 34 will either wind up or unwind the lines dependent on whether the tundish assemblies are moving towards or away from the reels. As noted previously, one of the cables is for the motor 102 of the tundish assembly; the other cables being for the piston cylinder'assemblies 74 and 81 thereof.

in accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, we have explained the principle and operation of our invention and have illustrated and described what we consider to represent the best embodiment thereof.

We claim:

1. In combination with a casting machine, an apparatus for handling a vessel of molten metal used in conjunction therewith comprising:

a stationary support member having inner and outer ends,

a vertical member supported by the inner end of said stationary support member,

first means outward of said inner end of said stationary member for supporting said vessel including a frame arranged in an overhung relationship with respect to said stationary member,

said frame including at least one finger arranged to project toward said stationary member,

a channel-shaped member carried by said stationary member adjacent the projecting end of said finger,

said finger including a support surface for carrying a power line associated with said vessel handling apparatus,

second means for supporting said first means carried by said stationary member in a manner to permit said vessel to move about said vertical member thereby allowing said vessel to be brought into and out of a pouring position over said casting machine, and

said second means includes guide means for allowing said frame to move in a selected path about said vertical member.

2. In combination with a casting machine, an apparatus for handling a vessel of molten metal used in conjunction therewith comprising:

a stationary support member having inner and outer ends,

a vertical member supported by the inner end of said stationary support member,

first means outward of said inner end of said stationary member for supporting said vessel including a frame arranged in an overhung relationship with respect to said stationary member,

said frame comprises a vertical support member,

vertical guide means formed by said vertical support member for receiving a slide,

means on said slide for supporting said tundish,

means for adjusting said slide vertically in said guide means,

second means for supporting said first means carried by said stationary member in a manner to permit said vessel to move about said vertical member thereby allowing said vessel to be brought into and out of a pouring position over said casting machine, and

said second means includes guide means for allowing said frame to move in a selected path about said vertical member.

3. In combination with a casting machine according claim 2 including a horizontally arranged trunnion means carried by said slide.

said frame including means supportable by said trunnion means in a manner that said tundish is tiltable about the horizontal axis of said trunnion means.

4. In combination with a casting machine according to claim 3 wherein said trunnion means includes a subframe,

a cradle for carrying said tundish supported by said subframe, and

means for adjusting said cradle horizontally relative to said subframe.

5. In combination with a casting machine according to claim 4 where said tundish includes projections,

said cradle includes openings formed in a manner to receive said projections of said tundish to permit said tundish to be readily set in and removed from said cradle.

6. in combination with a casting machine according to claim 4,

including a plurality of sets of horizontally arranged rollers carried by said subframe,

guides formed in said cradle for engaging with said rollers in a manner to allow the cradle to be adjusted horizontally by said adjusting means.

7. In combination with a casting machine according to claim 4,

wherein said subframe includes a guide roll,

a curved track carried by said slide defining the extent of tilting of said tundish, and

replaceable alignment means associated with said guide roll and said curved track for aligning said tundish in a vertical direction relative to said casting machine.

U ITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION I 'Patent ,31 Dated June 18, 1974 Inventods) I Joseph Irwin Greenberger et a1.

It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

, 'On the cover sheet item I75] should read --v Inventors: Joseph Irwin Greenberger, Pittsburgh;

, Joseph James Ciochetto, Allison Park; Fred C. Kohring,

Houston, all of Pa.

Signed and sealed this 1st day of October 1974.

(SEAL) Atte st:

C. MARSHALL DANN MCCOY M. GIBSON JR.

Commissioner of Patents Atte sting Officer USCOMM-DC 60376-P69 u.sv GOVERNMENT HUNTING OFFICE: 869, 930

FORM PO-1050 (10-69) 

1. In combination with a casting machine, an apparatus for handling a vessel of molten metal used in conjunction therewith comprising: a stationary support member having inner and outer ends, a vertical member supported by the inner end of said stationary support member, first means outward of said inner end of said stationary member for supporting said vessel including a frame arranged in an overhung relationship with respect to said stationary member, said frame including at least one finger arranged to project toward said stationary member, a channel-shaped member carried by said stationary member adjacent the projecting end of said finger, said finger including a support surface for carrying a power line associated with said vessel handling apparatus, second means for supporting said first means carried by said stationary member in a manner to permit said vessel to move about said vertical member thereby allowing said vessel to be brought into and out of a pouring position over said casting machine, and said second means includes guide means for allowing said frame to move in a selected path about said vertical member.
 2. In combination with a casting machine, an apparatus for handling a vessel of molten metal used in conjunction therewith comprising: a stationary support member having inner and outer ends, a vertical member supported by the inner end of said stationary support member, first means outward of said inner end of said stationary member for supporting said vessel including a frame arranged in an overhung relationship with respect to said stationary member, said frame comprises a vertical support member, vertical guide means formed by said vertical support member for receiving a slide, means on said slide for supporting said tundish, means for adjusting said slide vertically in said guide means, second means for supporting said first means carried by said stationary member in a manner to permit said vessel to move about said vertical member thereby allowing said vessel to be brought into and out of a pouring position over said casting machine, and said second means includes guide means for allowing said frame to move in a selected path about said vertical member.
 3. In combination with a casting machine according claim 2 including a horizontally arranged trunnion means carried by said slide. said frame including means supportable by said trunnion means in a manner that said tundish is tiltable about the horizontal axis of said trunnion means.
 4. In combination with a casting machine according to claim 3 wherein said trunnion means includes a subframe, a cradle for carrying said tundish supported by said subframe, and means for adjusting said cradle horizontally relative to said subframe.
 5. In combination with a casting machine according to claim 4 where said tundish includes projections, said cradle includes openings formed in a manner to receive said projections of said tundish to permit said tundish to be readily set in and removed from said cradle.
 6. In combination with a casting machine according to claim 4, including a plurality of sets of horizontally arranged rollers carried by said subframe, guides formed in said cradle for engaging with said rollers in a manner to allow the cradle to be adjusted horizontally by said adjUsting means.
 7. In combination with a casting machine according to claim 4, wherein said subframe includes a guide roll, a curved track carried by said slide defining the extent of tilting of said tundish, and replaceable alignment means associated with said guide roll and said curved track for aligning said tundish in a vertical direction relative to said casting machine. 